ni it tw VOL 40. BLOOMSBURG, PA., THURSDAY, APRIL 13, IQ05. NO. 15 (If MMtfilf fMMfiff f.- hi n r 1 1 i v FIRST STORM WAS SEVERE. Dr. Stoker's Barn at Stillwater Struck by Lightning and Destroyed. HORSES AND COWS PERISH. Rarely, so early in the season, is this section of the country visited by an electrical storm of the vio lence and severity which character ized Monday's visitation. The storm beigau to gather short ly after the noon hour, and contin ued mustering its forces until about four o'clock when it broke. Daylight was suddenly changed into darkness. The thunder rolled, sharp, glaring lightning at brief intervals illuminated the skies, and the rain descended in torrents. Everything betokened a storm of cyclonic proportions. People g92ed apprehensively nt the skies, and then hurried to their homes or sought shelter in the various places that afforded protection along the street. It rained hard, but there was no damage done in Bloomsburg. The storm evidently spent its fury before reaching here. From all reports Stillwater and vicinity was the hardesst hit. The large substantial barn of Dr. Stok er, a veterinary surgeon, situated a short distance below Stillwater, was made the target of a fiery bolt, and the structure with all its contents consisting of two good horses, three valuable cows, hay, grain and farm ing implements were consumed. The barn was seventy feet in size. There was but little insurance on it. The barn on the farm of G. M. Shoop, situated about three miles from Washingtouville, was partly unroofed by the storm. Many fine trees as well as fences were blowu down at different points. At Briar creek a number of telegraph poles were leveled to the ground and the service interrupted for several hours. At Washingtonville a portion of W. J. Messersmith's furniture ware house was unroofed. At Danville a newly constructed house was lifted in the air and then set back on its foundation. It was a peculiar freak of the storm, the like of which has very infrequently been known. None of the timbers in the building were broken, though the foundation was somewhat dam aged. A number of trees and telephone wires were blown down and for a while it was impossible for the tele phone operators to remain at the switch board so severe was the lightning flashes. On the other side of the river the storm was parti cularly severe and a number of trees were uprooted by the wind. At Espy the storm was severe and there was a great down pour ing of rain, the wind blew a gale and it was so dark that the resi dents lor awhile had to use lamps. The lightning struck the house of Nathan Miller but fortunately the damage was very slight. BUILDISO OPERATIONS- Among the improvements now in progress, or soon to commence, are the erection of the addition to the Hospital on Fifth street, the addi tion to Mr. Ratti's house, and the erection of a handsome residence by F. G. Yorks, on Market street. The excavation for the cellar of the latter is now going on. The house will be fire-proof, and contains all modem improvements, and it is said by those who have seen the plans, that it will be one of the tinest in the town. The neighbors will be delighted especially for this improvement, as it will remove what has been an eye sore for many years, not only to them but to the whole town. The millinery store of Mrs. Ever at Benton was threatened with des truction Friday evening. A large lamp suspended from the ceiling of the room, fell to the floor and ex ploded. The flamesfluickly spread about in an alarming manner, but the prompt use of some rugs smoth ered them before much damage was done. The firemen were called to the scene, but their assistance was not needed. LIVELY MEETINGS OF TOWN COUNCIL. Incongruity of Opinion Among Members Creates Fun For Onlookers. There Was Little Unanmity. If the first two meetings of the recently elected Bloomsburg Town Council, are samples of what my be expected during the ensuing year, there is all kinds of fun in store for thoss who enjoy disputa tion and controversy. The sessions were tumultuous iu all that the word implies. Unanimity whs almost an unknown quality, and nearly every matter taken up, precipitated a lively, lengthy discussion, and it was exceptional when President Yetter's vote was not neccessary to decide. Every member was on hand early and eager for ihe fiay. Acting upon instruction from President Yetter, Mr. James Ma gee, who had been appointed to serve in the capacity of secretary until1 a new one could be elected, proceeded to cull the roll. Before the secretaryship, which according to the order of business, was the first to be taken up, was attacked, it was suggested that the salary for the office be fixed first, where upon Rhoades made a motion that the compensation be $20 per month. Runyon voiced a second and it was so ordered. When the time for nominations for secretary arrived there was Dtit one presented, that ot Freeze Quick, and he was accord ingly unanimously elected. After it had been decided that the compensation of the town treas urer be the same as last year, viz, one per cent on all moneys paid out, the election of that officer was takeu up. There were two candi dates, John Lewis and F. J. Rich ard. The first ballot resulted in a victory for Lewis, he receiving four out of six votes cast. The election of a street commis sioner was one of the hardest pro positions of the evening, and on it the council was completely divided. There were three candidates, Hen ry Dieffenhach, John Cadman and Chas. B. lint, and it required three ballots to decide the matter. Ent received one vote on the first ballot, Cadman two and Dieffenbach three. The second gave Cadman and Dieffenbach each three, when Yetter, after casting the deciding vote in favor of Cadman, declared him elected. From the spectators stand point, this was the leading event of the evening. Each Councilman took a hand in free for all discussion, and there was more than mere traces of bad feeling, before the matter was disposed of. There was no opposition to Miles Betz for constable, and he was unanimously elected, and his salary was fixed at $50 per year. There came another division, this time on the Town Solicitorship. The members were at variance not only iu the election of the man to fill the place, and the compensation he is to receive, but also on Presi dent Yetter's right to vote. Yetter claimed the right to vote on every question, and Magee very strenu ously disputed it. The argument was loud and long, but Yetter, in spite of the protests, continued to vote. The matter of compensation for the Solicitor was finally decided upou. He is to receive a retaining fee of $175. per year, for which he is to do oil the Town's business, with the exception of trials, in which event, the fee is to be ur Lranged between council and solici tor. There were thres candidates named for Solicitor, Grant Hen ing, William Chrisman and G. M. Tustin. The hitter figured in only one ballot, when he received the vote of Magee. Iu this count Chrisman had three and Herring two. The second ballot gave Chris man and Herring each three, and Yetter broke the tie by voting for Herring. The salary of the Chief of Police was fixed at $.o per mouth, and two suits. The election of this officer censed auother tilt. Arling ton Shultz and Wesley Knorr were the nominees. Each received three votes. It remained for President Yetter to say who should fill the office. He dropped his head for Remember This Bank. When considering your financial interests, and where to safely place your money, it might be well to remember that this bank offers the most favorable conditions, because of its SOUND POLICY AND CONSER VA TIVE MAN A GEM ENT. Remember too that money grows most surely and quickly when kept in a good bank. Pockets have a poor reputation as SAVINGS BANKS. WE INVITE NEW AND DESIRABLE ACCOUNTS. Iloomsburg A. Z. Schoch, President. tn mm m JUT buyer won't get "stuck" either. Lucas Paints costs you less because they cover FOR SALE ii several minutes, evidently consider ing the fi:ne3s of the nomiuees. He finally picked up the applications, which reposed on his desk before him, and after reading each care fully, he, iu a frank voice, declared himself for Knorr. His decision was greeted with applause from the audience. Wilbur Fisher and Samuel Shaffer were elected superintendent of the fire alarm and building in spector, respectively. The former to receive $10 per month, and the latter $15 per year. James C. Brown was unanimously elected Town engineer. He to receive $5.00 per day and 50 cents per hour. Next came the matter of com pensation for labor and team work on the road. This was a stumbling b'eck. Each member expressed himself, some of them very em phatically. Rhoades and Mifilin favored $1.50 per day. Magee said there were lots of men who were not worth more than 75 cents a day, and inferred that to give them 75 more would be robbing the town treasury. Rhodes moved that the price be fixed at $1.50 per day. Magee moved to amend the motion, so as to make $1.50 the maximum amount, and let the street commis sioner exercise his discretion, as to what men are worth that amount. A vote was taken on the amend ment, resulting in three ayes and four nays, Yetter voting nay. This left the matter just as it was before the ballot was taken. After a few explanatory remarks Yetter moved that the rate be fixed at $1.50 and $1 25 per day. Rhoades took ex ceptions to the President making a motion, and Yetter withdrew it It was finally decided to lay the motion over till the next meeting. President Yetter announced the appointment of the following com mittees: Stieets and Highways, Giger, Deily and Runyan. Finance Runyan, Miflliu, Ma gee. Fire and Water Rhodes, Giger, Deily. Light Deny, Magee, Mifilin. MONDAY NIC. JIT. Monday night's meeting differed but Htlle from the previous one. There was manifested the same determination on the part of the members to hold out to the end An agreement was rsached how ever that the wage rate be fixed at $1.50 per day for laborers, and ?3 5 1-t day for double teams, and 2.50 per day lor single teams. Upon the suggestion of President Yetter, who spoke of the import ance of the tax rate, it was decided to hold the matter over tor a joint meeting of the President, the financial committee and the solici tor. Chief Knorr, submitted a list of men which he recommended for ap pointment as special policemen. It wasn't to the entire liking of the members, however. Rhoades want- Conllnued on 5th page, 4th Column. Rational Ianl Wm. II. Hidlay, Cashier. Better paint first. Lucas Paints (Tinted Glou) will increase the cash value of vour house, and the more surface and do it thoroughly. They have a richer gloss. They lastand the color lasts. saLi,y j. Q Weils DEATH OF SAMUEL FUKSEL. Few men iu their life have suf fered as did Samuel Pursel, uone ever bore their affliction more pa tiently, or with greater resignation than did he. Never a word of com plaint did he utter, through the long seige of llluess, and he kept up the struggle against the great destroyer, death, with a heroism that was truely remarkable. The eud came at his home on West Fifth Street Tuesday morn ing. About a year ago he went to the Miners Hospital at Fountain Springs, where he had a cancerous tumor removed from his ueck, and one from his back. He improved considerably, and it was believed that his life would be prolonged, but the tumors appeared again, and iu a more malignant form. On January 1st he took his bed, from which time ou 'till his death his condition was critical. He is survived by a wife, form erly a Miss Masters, daughter of Morris E. Masters of Philadelphia, a mother, and two children. He graduated from the Normal in 1886, and for some time after ward taught school near Pittston He later returned to Bloomsburg, and secured a position as teacher in the Fifth Street School. He was promoted to the pnucipalship of the school where he remained until he was transferred to the Third Street building. He was twice elected town councilman. Mr. Pursel was a member of the Baptist church and took an active interest in its affairs. The funeral was held today at 2:30. Asa mark of respect the schools of town were dismissed at noon. A Narrow Escape. Last Mondav afternoon while Hon. A. L. Fritz was driving from Benton, he was overtaken by the storm this side of Stillwater, and f jund it necessary to seek shelter. He at first thought of driving into Dr. Stoker's barn, but as the storm was not yet very severe, he con eluded to risk going further, and so drove on to a barn this side of Stoker's. While in there he saw smoke and flames in the distance, but did not know until he reached Bloomsburg that the burning build ing was Stoker's barn iu which he came so near seeking shelter. The barn was struck by lightning niul entirely destroyed with its contents including two horses. Had he stopped there the results might have been very serious. - Dr A. K. Aldinger, Gere Javne, Gerald Gross, Freas Hicks, Bion Hagenbuch and Geo. W. Keiter are the end men who will serve up the latest iu witticisms and funny say ings at the Wheelmen's big min strel show two weeks from tonicht. April 27. The demand for seats will greatly exceed the supply, so get yours iu time. The diagram will open four days in advauce at Bidlenian's book store. Please Us Immensely If you would come in and look at the new Spring Styles. If you are a Merchant Tailor's man, we will guarantee to surprise you. Paying too much and waiting too long is the made-to-order way. Paying just enough and getting perfect sat isfaction is our way. We fit all shapes. Three for One Trading Stamps Friday and Saturday, BEN OIODSNQ Corner Main and Center Sts. Come in and see us, we'll treat you right. tMMB CARPETS FURNITURE Newness Everywhere "lis newness everywhere. Each depart ment is filled with new goods of all descriptions. New Furniture, New Carpets, New Rugs. If ever there was a time to luv good Furniture at Kight Prices its now. Furniture for Library. Furniture for Dining Room. Furniture for Bedrooms. Carpets to suit every taste. Hugs to match every Carpet. A large assortment of all the newest colorings and designs. Bring your measurements, we will do the rest. fHE LEADER STORE CO., LTD. 4TH AND MARKET STREETS. BLOOMSBURG, PA. That I Well Dressed Feeling It's something that most men appreciate. Some of them pay pretty high to secure it ; others wear our ready-to-wear and get it for half the money. We don't ask you to take our word for the excellence of our Clothing, but it would
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